MIAMI – Police have identified the man who was arrested following Monday’s shooting and massive fire at a four-story apartment building in Miami as 73-year-old Juan Francisco Figueroa.
Jail records show Figueroa was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center early Tuesday morning on charges of attempted murder, first-degree arson, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and use of a firearm while committing a felony.
He appeared in bond court later in the morning where he was ordered to be held without bond.
According to Miami Fire Rescue officials, thousands of gallons of water were sprayed onto the building Monday and there were still hot spots Tuesday morning.
According to police, a man — identified by building management as an employee — was found shot on the third floor of the building when crews responded to the scene Monday.
Family members identified the wounded man as 30-year-old Feder Biotte.
Sky 10 was above the building, located at 431 Northwest Third St., around 9 a.m. Monday as heavy smoke was coming from the building.
SKY 10 OVER MIAMI APARTMENT FIRE:
It’s part of the Temple Court Apartments complex.
According to first responders, the call came in around 8:15 a.m. as an explosion.
Miami Fire Rescue Lt. Pete Sanchez confirmed that crews responded to the scene and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the third floor of the building. Officials said they rescued in upwards of 40 people.
“Firefighters extended hose lines into the structure for an aggressive fire attack and simultaneously other crews began rescuing victims from their units,” Sanchez said in an email to Local 10 News. “Multiple residents were rescued from their apartments and some from their balconies. A second alarm was struck based on the operational needs for strategies and tactics.”
The fire was later upgraded to a three-alarm fire.
“This is a three-alarm fire. We haven’t had one in 25 years, and so this is something that is obviously a large event for us and they’re doing a heroic job in dealing with it, including rescuing residents throughout this incident,” Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said during a press conference. “This is a very old structure made in the 1920s. It’s possible that there was some accelerant.”
Suarez said more than 40 units responded to the scene.
When crews arrived, they found Biotte, who had been shot in the abdomen on the third floor.
According to the suspect’s arrest report, a witness told police he found the victim laid out on the floor, suffering from a gunshot wound.
He said Biotte told him in Spanish, “307 – the one from 307.”
Police said Figueroa lives in Apt. 307.
According to the report, the witness told police he heard an “explosion” shortly after hearing gunshots.
Reynold Romeus, who identified himself as the cousin and godfather of Biotte, expressed his shock and anguish over the incident, recounting how he initially couldn’t fathom the news of his loved one being shot.
“I never heard him have a problem with nobody. He is a very nice man. He loves his family and that hurt me really bad,” said Romeus.
Romeus said Biotte underwent surgery.
“They removed the bullet in his belly, but he’s gonna be OK,” Romeus said.
Suarez said just after 6 p.m. Monday that the suspected shooter had been taken into custody and that the shooter may have started the fire.
According to the arrest report, Figueroa was detained after being pulled over in his car in the area of Northwest 27th Avenue and 28th Street.
A black revolver was found in his right pocket with five live rounds and more bullets were found in his left pocket, authorities said.
Figueroa spoke over officers as they were reading him his Miranda rights, telling them, “he knew what he had done and expected to be in prison for the rest of his life,” the arrest report stated.
Police said detectives concluded the interview when Figueroa requested an attorney.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections website, Figueroa is a convicted felon for prior charges from 1992 of second-degree attempted murder and aggravated assault.
The Miami Fire Investigation Unit, Miami police and the State Fire Marshal’s office are investigating.
The American Red Cross is assisting displaced residents. No one, including first responders, are able to enter the building at this time, as officials say it is unsafe to do so.